Getting food aid right

JOHANNESBURG, 1 March 2013 (IRIN Global) - Despite early warning information about the Horn of Africa’s impending drought crisis in 2011, humanitarian responses were slow to mobilize, leading to tens of thousands of deaths in the region and famine in parts of Somalia. full report

Why the Sahel needs $1.6 billion again this year

DAKAR, 19 February 2013 (IRIN Africa) - The 2013 Sahel Regional Strategy calls for US$1.66 billion to help meet humanitarian needs and build up resilience among vulnerable groups - an identical figure to the 2012 crisis appeal - even though aid agencies estimate the number of Sahelians at risk of going hungry this year has dropped 44 percent to 10.3 million. IRIN spoke to aid agency representatives to find out why the ask has remained constant. full report

Don’t underestimate Mauritania needs, say aid agencies

KAEDI/NOUAKCHOTT/DAKAR, 6 February 2013 (IRIN Africa) - Despite a decent harvest and pasture coverage for livestock, aid agencies say they and donors must not underestimate vulnerability in Mauritania, having admitted they seriously underestimated the extent of the crisis in 2012 due to inadequate assessment systems and insufficient alarm calls to donors to respond. full report

Food insecurity the next crisis for northern Mali

BAMAKO/DAKAR, 23 January 2013 (IRIN Africa) - Many more northern Malians are likely to face severe food shortages in the coming days and weeks if markets remain blocked by border and road closures, and humanitarian access remains limited, warn food security agencies. full report

Mauritania’s farmers struggle to pull out of debt trap

DAKAR, 21 January 2013 (IRIN Africa) - Rains were decent across much of Mauritania in 2012 leading to hopes of a reasonable harvest. However, even in a good year farmers can produce a maximum five-month cereal supply - most small farmers produce much less - and most face 2013 with accumulated debts from previous years following decades of cyclical crises. full report

Frustration over Mali government inaction

SEVARE, 3 January 2013 (IRIN Africa) - Malians forced to live under strict religious rules since Islamist groups captured the country’s northern region nine months ago, and those who fled south, are frustrated by perceived central government inaction. full report

SAHEL: Malnourished to remain above one million in 2013

DAKAR, 20 December 2012 (IRIN Africa) - Despite good rains across much of the Sahel this year, 1.4 million children are expected to be malnourished - up from one million in 2012, according to the 2013 Sahel regional strategy. full report